As the racing season goes there are many times we cross paths with people;
things are said or done that we don’t like. We carry the burden of that
dislike and it eats away at us. There is a way to release those burdens.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever done something wrong? Seems like a simple question with a
simple answer, but why is it we forget that when it comes time to forgive
someone else from a mistake they made? Forgiveness is something we want to
receive but many times are not as willing to give. When we can truly forgive
we release the hate that burdens us.
Let me set the record straight, we all make mistakes. We all make choices
that seem right at the time but in retrospect they were not the correct
ones. Why have we become a society that has developed a less forgiving
attitude? Zero tolerance is not the right way to deal with mistakes. God
made a provision for our forgiveness. Are we better than God?
Looking back over the season I can remember several situations that
created anger and frustration. At the moment when they occurred it seemed
the whole season hinged on them. After a little time passed their
significance waned and we moved on. Those are the ones that are easy to deal
with; other situations take on a life of their own.
Some mistakes find their source in a little creative rules
interpretation. Penalties are levied and corrections are made. We move on or
at least we are supposed to. Some of us have longer memories than others.
Why is it that we cannot forget?
Some linger because the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. This is where
timing and zero tolerance collide. As the season plays itself out rules
receive scrutiny and interpretations are modified. When things get out of
hand warnings are given. Then the rules change. What would have been
acceptable before is now a violation of the rules. These situations really
cause us the most frustration. When the rules change midstream it seems the
ability to try and figure out what really happened is thrown out. We are
judged by one standard and practical explanations are not considered. Most
times the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, but because there is no
flexibility and only one penalty for everything that fits under the new rule
the voice of reason has no place in the discussion.
Some situations never seem to be dealt with so they linger and fester.
These types effect relationships and are the most destructive. No matter
what the situation was, when mistakes are made they need to be corrected. We
need to take responsibility for them and seek forgiveness. We then need to
forget about it and move on.
But the ones that create the greatest burden are the ones that we don’t
feel are mistakes but that are done intentionally. They are choices that are
made to get back at someone or start something new. Those are the most
difficult burdens to release.
Forgive and forget; a familiar refrain, but one of the most difficult
things for us to do. We want to get back at the person who wronged us. We
have a need to get even. We have our rights and no one is going to take
advantage of us. We say that we forgive but we will never forget. These are
just some of the comments you hear when you try to encourage others to
release the burden of holding a grudge. We tend to be unforgiving people
when it comes to others, but we want to be forgiven when it comes to us.
Let’s take a look at what God says about this issue. God’s rules never
change and His standard is always the same. God does not accept our
mistakes. God is right and just and mistakes are not something that God can
accept. God says all mistakes are the same; big, small doesn’t matter all
mistakes fall into the category of sin, missing the mark. We all have made
them and all will have to pay the penalty.
Romans 8:23; There is no difference, for all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
And the penalty is the same;
Romans 6:23a; For the wages of sin is death,
But look at the rest of
that verse and we start to see what God intends for us.
Romans 6:23b; but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God said I will make a way for your burden to be released and for you to be
forgiven; I will send My Son, Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for you.
John 3:16-18; "For God so loved the world that
he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to
save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe
stands condemned already
because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker. He gave his life so that we could have
peace with God. He gave his life to release our burden. He came, suffered,
died and rose again so that the penalty for our sin would be paid in full.
We can receive that payment by accepting it. It is a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:8-9; For it is by grace you have
been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
God provided this opportunity for forgiveness and we can receive it by
accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we do we make peace with
God, we restore our relationship with Him; our sin is forgiven and
remembered no more.
As the season comes to an end, take a look back and see if there are some
people you need to forgive. We are expected to forgive as God forgave us.
That means not because we deserve it but because He loves us. Forgive not
because they deserve it, but because God forgave you.
We cannot experience the full blessing of God if we refuse to forgive
others. Our unwillingness to forgive implies that our standard is greater
than God’s. That is not correct; God’s standard is the only one that counts.
If God is willing to forgive you there is no reason we could have for not
forgiving others.
Make that commitment this week. Commit that you will go to the people you
have refused to forgive and forgive them. Don’t worry if they refuse to
accept it, many have refused to accept the forgiveness that God offers. We
are not called to make people accept our forgiveness, but to offer the gift.
Offer that gift to someone today.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
HERE,
THERE AND BACK AGAIN - Dover to Stafford , not a bad trip, not as long
as some weekends. It was good to be with the K&N Pro Series East as they
closed out their season. It was funny though, about a quarter of the field
was new drivers and teams. Maybe they were getting a jump start on next
season or they just wanted to run Dover, either way it has come to be the
norm with the young guns, without a score card you don’t know who’s who.
I was surprised to see the pole speed for the K&N guys was three mph
faster than the Nationwide practice times. I checked it out and the pole
sitter for the K&N would have qualified third in the Nationwide race behind
Logano and Elliot. Those two divisions run pretty equal at Dover ,
interesting.
Austin Hill closed out the season on fire winning the last two races of
the year for the K&N guys; that should give him a boost going into 2015. Ben
Rhodes took home the Championship hardware though. He is looking forward to
moving up the ladder. Gray Gaulding has his sights set on the 2015 K&N
hardware and has indicated that he will concentrate on securing his first
NASCAR Championship in the series in 2015. He finished third in the final
standings this year.
OFF TO STAFFORD - As Ben Dodge proclaimed over the PA, it was a
Chamber of Commerce weekend in New England . The weather was great and the
anticipation was high. To start things off on Sunday the SK Mods took center
stage to decide the Championship. TC had a slight lead over Ryan Preece, but
Preece was ready to do all he could to stop TC from collecting his record
ninth title. Preece won the race but lost the war. With his third place
finish TC took down his record ninth SK Mod Championship at Stafford Motor
Speedway.
It was good to see TC’s crew chief Mike O’Sullivan in the garage. He is
recovering from some medical issues. His spirits were high and although he
was restricted in his physical movement his mind was as sharp as it ever
was. You could tell this was great therapy for him, he missed being in the
pits.
Preece made it two for two on Fall Final Sunday holding off none other
than TC in two late race restarts for the victory in the WMT Napa 150. When
I got to TC after the race I could tell he gave it everything he had short
of taking Preece out. TC doesn’t like to come in second. With that said, he
moved into second place in the championship race standings with an outside
shot at the title.
Doug Coby all but secured the Title when Justin Bonsignore had another
frustrating day at the track. In a bizarre incident a car coming out of the
pits moved up in front of him and the result was a race day done too soon.
The battle at Thompson will be for second and back as the top ten in
points all can change position. It should make for a very interesting World
Series at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park .
RON YUHAS CONTINUES HIS RECOVERY - I am pleased to report that Ron
Yuhas, WMT driver injured at NHMS, has been released from the hospital and
is home resting comfortably. If you would like to send him a card of
encouragement you and send it to Ron Yuhas, 91 South Road , Groton , CT
06340 .
ONE MORE TO GO - With a couple of weeks to prepare for the World
Series at Thompson it is a good time to relax and reflect on the season
past. Don’t overlook all the special times shared with the racing family
this season. Take the time to let them know how much they mean to you.
Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals
and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
http://www.rwjm.com/store. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter
what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. Remember that
God loves you, we love you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
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Tolland, CT 06084.
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Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face
toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
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